Skate
Developer(s)EA Black Box
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
EA Mobile (Mobile)
Composer(s)Z-Trip
Tommy Guerrero
XXXChange
SeriesSkate
Platform(s)Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
Mobile phone
ReleaseMobile
  • WW: September 12, 2007[1]
Xbox 360
  • NA: September 14, 2007
  • PAL: September 28, 2007
PlayStation 3
  • NA: September 24, 2007
  • EU: October 5, 2007
  • AU: October 11, 2007
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Skate (stylized as skate.) is a skateboarding video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and mobile phones. It was developed by EA Black Box and released in 2007. Two sequels, Skate 2 and Skate 3, have been released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as well as Skate It, a spin-off for Wii, Nintendo DS and iOS platforms. In 2020, EA announced plans for a new Skate game.

Development

The game's "flick it" control system began development long before any graphics had been implemented: the initial prototype simply read unique analog stick motions and displayed a basic text message saying what trick had been performed, along with speed and accuracy ratings.[2] The developers found that in order to receive accurate information from the very fast analog stick motions used when playing the game, input data from each control pad had to be read at a rate of 120 Hz.[2]

The game relies extensively on physics to model the skateboarders' movement. Havok, Endorphin and others were considered, but ultimately a RenderWare package called "Drives" was used to model the joints of the human body.[2] Technical limitations and animation issues at the time resulted in certain planned features being cut and postponed to later installments, such as the ability to play as a girl (which debuted in Skate It) or dismount and walk around (which was not possible until Skate 2).[3]

Evidence from different versions of EA's official website for Skate show that the game has been through some major changes in development. For example, one screenshot, dated "04/06/2007", shows that San Vanelona was originally planned to be a coastal city, featuring a football stadium, harbour and cruise liner.

Major changes were also made to the soundtrack. Originally planned to feature "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors, the soundtrack now focuses more heavily on hip-hop. Some songs appear in both studio and remixed form.

The demo was scheduled for release on Xbox Live for August 15, 2007[4] but was delayed (as stated by Scott Blackwood on the Skate forum) due to a sudden problem with the demo's Skate Reel (video editing) feature, releasing on August 21. It was released on PlayStation Network in September. The demo allowed players to skate around the San Vanelona Community Center for thirty minutes and learn how to do various tricks as well as to create and edit videos.

The multiplayer of the game was shut down in July 2011.[5] Skate joined to Microsoft's backwards compatibility program in June 2019.[6]

Mobile version

The mobile version of Skate features two game modes: Thrasher Mode (the main game mode, in which the player completes goals to make the cover of skateboarding magazine Thrasher) and Free Skate (where the player can play on levels previously unlocked in Thrasher Mode). The player plays as a customized skater, who receives tips from pro skaters Chris Cole and Rob Dyrdek, among others, through twelve missions divided in four goals each. Though the game is still set in San Vanelona, there are only three explorable areas: Plaza, Halfpipe and Downtown, aside from linear levels only playable in Thrasher Mode. The mobile version of Skate later won the "Cellular Game of the Year" award during the AIAS' 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.

Reception

Skate received "generally favorable" reviews from critics on both platforms according to review aggregator Metacritic.[7][8] Praise was given to the environments, control scheme, and soundtrack. Criticisms included latency issues with the online multiplayer, odd physics glitches, and the lack of freestyle tricks in both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game (although it is possible to do lip tricks because of the unique grind engine built into the game).[25] The reviews praised the game for a good start and innovation, but the game was criticized for the in-game advertising and product placement. GameSpy praised the Xbox 360 version for the control scheme, presentation, expansive environments, audio, and amount of content. It was criticized for the learning curve, frustrating camera, and the slowdown in online game modes.[20] In Japan, where the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions were ported for release on March 19, 2008, Famitsu gave both console versions each a score of two eights, one seven, and one eight for a total of 31 out of 40.[12]

The New York Times gave the game universal acclaim.[30] Digital Spy gave the Xbox 360 version four stars out of five and called it a superb example of how an extreme sports game should be done.[29] However, The A.V. Club gave the game a C+ because of its difficult learning curve and the game made more for hardcore gamers rather than casual ones.[28]

During the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded the console version of Skate with "Sports Game of the Year", along with receiving nominations for "Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design" and "Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack".[31]

Sequels and spin-off

A spin-off game, titled Skate It, was released on the Nintendo DS, Wii and iOS in November 2008.[32]

Achieving the commercial success, EA decided to work on a sequel to Skate.[33][34] Skate 2 was released at the end of January 2009.[35][36]

The third installment in the Skate franchise, Skate 3, was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in May 2010. The game is set in a new fictional city called Port Carverton. New gameplay features include the ability to perform dark slides and underflips. Skate 3 has a stronger emphasis on content creation and online team play than the previous games.[37][38][39][40]

At the June 2020 EA Play event, a new Skate title was confirmed to be in development.[41] EA established Full Circle, a new studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, to lead its development.[42] The studio is led by Daniel McCulloch, and includes Deran Chung and Cuz Parry, who had created the original Skate games.[43] The game will be called skate., and it will be offered as a free to play title when it launches.[44]

References

  1. ↑ "EA MOBILE LAUNCHES SKATE". GamesIndustry.biz. 2007-09-12. Archived from the original on 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
  2. 1 2 3 Nutt, Christian (October 17, 2008). "New Tricks: Scott Blackwood Talks Skate And Skate 2". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
  3. ↑ "After Thoughts: Skate". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 222. Ziff Davis. December 2007. p. 50.
  4. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (August 3, 2007). "Skate rolls in September". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ Danny, Pena (July 12, 2011). "EA Games Shuts Down Online Multiplayer Servers – Skate, Battlefield 2, Medal Of Honor & More". Gamertag Radio. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Skate joins final wave of Xbox One backward compatible games". Shacknews. 10 June 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  7. 1 2 "Skate for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic.
  8. 1 2 "Skate for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic.
  9. ↑ Edge staff (November 2007). "Skate (PS3)". Edge. No. 181. p. 92.
  10. 1 2 EGM staff (November 2007). "Skate". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 221. Ziff Davis. p. 108.
  11. ↑ Albiges, Luke (September 25, 2007). "Skate (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 "This Week Famitsu Cross Review". NeoGAF. March 5, 2008. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  13. 1 2 Reiner, Andrew (October 2007). "Skate". Game Informer. No. 174. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  14. ↑ Gori, Andrew (December 3, 2007). "Review: skate. (PS3)". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  15. ↑ Kim, Tae K. (September 17, 2007). "Review: skate. (X360)". GamePro. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  16. ↑ joeblow (October 18, 2007). "Skate Review (X360)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  17. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (September 28, 2007). "Skate Review (PS3)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  18. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (September 17, 2007). "Skate Review (X360)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  19. ↑ Vasconcellos, Eduardo (October 8, 2007). "GameSpy: skate (PS3)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  20. 1 2 Vasconcellos, Eduardo (September 17, 2007). "GameSpy: skate (X360)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  21. 1 2 "Skate Review". GameTrailers. September 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  22. ↑ Hopper, Steven (September 27, 2007). "skate - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  23. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (September 11, 2007). "Skate Review (Cell)". IGN. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  24. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (September 7, 2007). "Skate Review (PS3)". IGN. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  25. 1 2 Goldstein, Hilary (September 7, 2007). "Skate Review (X360)". IGN. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  26. ↑ Amrich, Dan (November 2007). "Skate". Official Xbox Magazine. p. 98. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Review: Skate". PSM. November 2007. p. 80.
  28. 1 2 3 Zuniga, Todd (September 17, 2007). "Skate". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  29. 1 2 Gibbon, David (September 28, 2007). "Xbox 360: 'Skate'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  30. ↑ Herold, Charles (October 11, 2007). "Finding Fun, Even When Perfection Isn't Achieved". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  31. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Skate". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  32. ↑ Kietzmann, Ludwig (October 31, 2008). "Skate It on November 19". Engadget (Joystiq). Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  33. ↑ Bozon, Mark (February 13, 2008). "EA Goes Big in '08, '09". IGN. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  34. ↑ Brudvig, Erik (May 12, 2008). "Skate 2 Made Official". IGN. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  35. ↑ Roper, Chris (October 31, 2008). "Skate 2 Coming in January". IGN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  36. ↑ molloc (November 25, 2008). "Skate 2 (Xbox 360/PS3) hits N.America Jan 21, worldwide Jan 23". MAXConsole. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  37. ↑ Robinson, Andy (September 15, 2009). "EA unveils Skate 3". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  38. ↑ Wicks, Bradley (February 15, 2016). "Skate 4 info potentially leaked on Australian website". Pixel Dynamo. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  39. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (January 28, 2016). "Almost every comment on EA's Instagram is 'Skate 4'". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  40. ↑ Bakker, Raymond (September 16, 2016). "Skateboarding park The Berrics campaigns for new Skate game". Zero Lives. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  41. ↑ Grubb, Jeff (June 18, 2020). "#Skate4: Electronic Arts announces the next game in the beloved series". Venture Beat. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  42. ↑ Kerr, Chris (January 27, 2021). "EA forms new studio Full Circle to revive Skate franchise". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  43. ↑ Stewart, Marcus (January 27, 2021). "Meet Full Circle, The New Studio Making The Next Skate". Game Informer. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  44. ↑ "EA's new Skate is free to play". Polygon. 14 July 2022. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
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